by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES - The Lakers are playing a waiting game with Phil Jackson, who interviewed for his old job on Saturday and is still trying to decide if he wants to get back into coaching.

Two people involved in the search for Mike Brown's replacement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that the team will also interview Mike D'Antoni, former coach with the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks, and former Lakers coach Mike Dunleavy. Jackson is still considered the overwhelming favorite to return, but the Lakers are doing their due diligence in case he decides against it.

Dunleavy took the Magic Johnson-led Lakers to the Finals in 1991 (they fell to the Chicago Bulls in five games), then left the Lakers for the Milwaukee Bucks in 1992. He has been a head coach for 17 seasons in all, posting a 613-716 regular season record and taking his teams (Lakers, Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and L.A. Clippers) to the playoffs six times.

D'Antoni is coming off a knee replacement surgery, but a person close to D'Antoni said that would not preclude him from taking the job. D'Antoni, who resigned from the Knicks in March, coached Lakers point guard Steve Nash in Phoenix and is known to have a good relationship with Kobe Bryant from their time spent together with Team USA.

Bryant has a high opinion of D'Antoni dating back to his days growing up in Italy when D'Antoni was a player with Olimpia Milano.

"There's some great coaches out there, and (D'Antoni would) be another guy who I'd be absolutely in favor of," Bryant said. "I mean, I love D'Antoni and what he brings, and everybody here knows my affinity for Brian Shaw, as well."

Shaw, the longtime Lakers assistant under Jackson who is now a lead assistant in Indiana, is not expected to be considered. The Lakers host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, and it still appears likely - though not certain - that Jackson will eventually be at the helm. Numerous reports indicated that the 67-year-old Jackson has concerns about the rigors of NBA travel, and that plans were being discussed to handle that aspect of his possible return. The Lakers are expected to reconnect with Jackson in the coming days.